Residents asked to report any wolf sightings

For the next several months, wolves and a potential wolf hunt will be hot-button issues, but right now the snow on the ground also provides a valuable tool for biologists studying the area wolf population.

Comment

By MARK SPENCLEYmark@cheboygantribune.com

Cheboygan Daily Tribune - Cheboygan, MI

By MARK SPENCLEYmark@cheboygantribune.com

Posted Dec. 15, 2012 at 12:01 AM

By MARK SPENCLEYmark@cheboygantribune.com

Posted Dec. 15, 2012 at 12:01 AM

CHEBOYGAN

For the next several months, wolves and a potential wolf hunt will be hot-button issues, but right now the snow on the ground also provides a valuable tool for biologists studying the area wolf population.

Wolves are polarizing. Some see them as rightful shareholders in northern Michigan’s wild kingdom while others see them as unwelcome invaders. Regardless of opinion, the more information scientists have on the wolf population the better.

In order to gather as much valuable information as possible, Department of Natural Resources biologists are heavily reliant on area residents participating in the process, according to Jennifer Kleitch, DNR biologist who works on area wolf research.

“We really want people to let us know if they think they’ve found wolf sign,” she said.

While snow makes it easier for people to locate wolf sign, it also makes it easier to disturb. In the case of tracks especially, using something to cover the sign until a biologist can examine it is crucial. Photographs are also very helpful in capturing fresh wolf tracks. Simply lay a reference item, such as a ruler, next to the track and snap a few photos. Biologist can use these photos to determine whether the tracks were made by a wolf.

Before taking the time and care to protect a piece of wolf sign take some time to be fairly certain the sign was actually left by a wolf.

It can be tough to tell the difference between wolf sign and coyote sign, even for seasoned outdoorsmen. It’s even common for people to mistake a coyote in a field for a wolf. Experts with the DNR use a few rules to discern wolf sign and sightings from those of coyotes.

Tracks are the most likely for of sign to stumble across and with the right information, they can be pretty easy to discern.

Wolf tracks are about 3 inches by 4 inches, much larger than coyote tracks, or about the size of the toe of a man’s boot, according to Brian Mastenbrook, DNR biologist who heads up northern Michigan’s annual wolf survey.

“Wolf tracks are big, a lot bigger than coyote tracks,” he said. “Anyone who is familiar with coyote tracks will know they’re not looking at a coyote track.”

The average female wolf weighs in between 55 and 80 pounds and the average male weighs between 70 and 95 pounds. Coyotes are rather diminutive in comparison, weighing between 20 and 40 pounds.

Weights can be easy to judge at an arm length, but at distance, with nothing for reference judging the size and weight can be nearly impossible.

Instead of trying to estimate size to determine whether that’s a wolf of coyote trotting across an open field use body feature as a basis for judgment. Wolves have longer legs and broader chests than coyotes, which are easier to determine at distance than body weight.

Page 2 of 2 - For those who stumble across a kill site, there are few distinct indicators to tell whether wolves made the kill, according to Mastenbrook.

Wolves will devour the bones of deer sized game, while coyotes are unable to eat the ribs, legs and other large bones.